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A QCS sentry (SAC "Lozza" Lawrence)relieves a Coldstream
Guards sentry at the Tower of London

The Queen's Colour Squadron is a unit of the RAF Regiment. It is a
dual operational/ceremonial unit; in its operational role, it is a
field squadron responsible for the defence of RAF and other assets
on the ground from enemy forces. In its ceremonial role, the
squadron is responsible for representing the Royal Air Force
at various significant occasions. The unit has mounted the guard
at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle
and The Tower of
London on several occasions.

Contents

No 63
Squadron

No 63 Squadron was formed as a light anti-aircraft squadron in
1943, a role it served in for the duration of the Second World War. In 1946, while serving in
Berlin, the squadron's role
was changed, becoming a field squadron. It remained in this role
until 1972, when it was planned to become the first RAF Regiment
squadron to be equipped with the Rapier SAM, returning to the air defence
role. Two unexpected tours in Northern Ireland meant that it was
1974 before the squadron converted. Following this, it was deployed
in RAF Germany until 1992, when, with the
gradual withdrawal of the RAF from Europe, the squadron was
disbanded.

While part of RAF Germany 63 Squadron deployed to the Falkland
Islands on 5 May 1982, taking over responsibility for the air
defence of the San Carlos beach head from the Royal Artillery.

More recently, 63 RAF Regt deployed to the invasion of Iraq in
2003 as a Regiment Field Squadron(RFS) to Basra Air Station,
providing force protection to the air base and air assets.

The Queen's Colour
Squadron

In 1960, the RAF Drill Unit was charged with the task of
guarding and escorting the Queen's Colour
of the Royal Air Force, being given the name Queen's Colour
Squadron. It was a pure ceremonial unit for 30 years, providing the
sole escort to the colour, and famed for its displays of exhibition
drill, which are performed without a single word of command.
However, the Options for Change reforms led to
the squadron being given an operational role as a field squadron in
addition to its ceremonial role. For this, it was given the number
plate of No 63 Squadron, being renamed The Queen's Colour Squadron
(No 63 Squadron RAF Regiment).